South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.